Summer is a glorious time for roses and other flowering shrubs. They make a bold statement in a mixed border and many modern roses and English roses will keep on flowering right into the autumn if you deadhead them regularly. Don’t forget to feed them to keep them performing all summer long.

However, it is important to keep a close watch on your roses and garden shrubs for signs of pests. Aphids in particular are partial to young sappy growth. The new Westland Plant Rescue Bug Killer offers long-term protection to your plants with its systemic action that will provide long lasting control. It controls existing pest problems and also stays effective for new pests and tackles any hidden pests. Plant Rescue Bug Killer contains an added foliage feed that boosts the health of your plants while the pests are being dealt with. It is a fast-acting insecticide that works on contact with the pest. It is suitable for use on whitefly, leaf bettle, mealy bugs and many other garden pests.

Keep a watch out for the telltale signs of black spot and mildew. Especially if the weather is hot and dry some rose varieties and shrubs can quickly succumb to mildew. Prune out affected stems and remove blemished leaves. Keep your plants well watered and make a note to mulch them when the soil is saturated to hold soil moisture. Consider choosing mildew resistant varieties or using Westland’s Plant Rescue Fungus Killer. Plant Rescue Fungus Killer controls blackspot, rust and mildew, is fast acting and long lasting with the added benefit of being not toxic to bees.

To keep your roses and shrubs in great condition throughout the growing season deadhead and feed regularly.

Dead head flowering shrubs, especially roses and others that flower on new stems, this will encourage a later flush of flowers. Give roses and flowering shrubs a summer boost with Rose Tree and Shrub Granular Plant Food. It’s designed to support healthy roses, encouraging plenty of rich green foliage and masses of wonderful flowers. It can also be used to feed trees.

Prune late summer flowering shrubs after flowering. Those that flower on ripened stems will have time to make new stems this season that will flower next. It also helps to rejuvenate the plants, encouraging them to form new shoots from the base.

Summer prune Wisteria now to encourage the development of new flowering spurs for next year’s display of flowers. Trim back all this season’s new growth to leave about 6 leaves on each new stem. These can be pruned back harder over winter to encourage flowering.

Feed shrubs that have already flowered such as roses, Weigela, Potentilla and Philadelphus with Sulphate of Potash. This will toughen the plants and harden the summer’s growth before the harsh winter weather, and help the plants survive extreme cold.